Oral health and menopause: What you should know

Menopause is a natural milestone for women, marking the end of a woman's menstrual cycle. The transition to menopause brings a variety of changes due to declining hormone levels, which can impact different areas of the body. And you may be surprised to learn that these hormone changes can also affect your oral health.

Quick facts about menopause

• The transition to menopause usually begins between the ages of 45 and 55, with 52 being the average age of American women reaching menopause.¹
• Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 months in a row without a period.¹
• By 2025, an estimated 1.1 billion women will be in menopause or will be postmenopausal.²
• Menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, irregular periods and sleep problems, can last anywhere from 2 to 8 years.¹

How menopause affects oral health

Hormonal changes during menopause, namely steep drops in the hormone estrogen, can lead to several oral health issues:

• Dry mouth: Lower estrogen levels can lower saliva production, leading to dry mouth. Saliva plays a big role in washing away food particles and bacteria, and it eases acids in your mouth. A lack of saliva increases your risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Gum disease: Studies have shown that menopause can make women more susceptible to gum inflammation, which can progress to severe gum disease (also called periodontal disease) and even tooth loss if not treated.³
• Bone loss: Estrogen helps maintain bone density throughout your body, including in the jaw. A drop in estrogen can lead to bone loss, increasing your risk of loose teeth.
• Burning mouth syndrome: Some women going through menopause may experience a burning sensation in their tongue, gums or lips, which is known as burning mouth syndrome. This is caused by changing hormone levels.

Delta Dental is raising awareness

To shed light on the important connection between menopause and oral health, Delta Dental contributed to the PBS documentary, “The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause.” The film premiered on October 17, 2024, ahead of World Menopause Day, and aimed to educate and empower women in any stage of their menopause journey.

Sarah Chavarria, CEO and President of Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, and Teri Barichello, DMD, Vice President and Chief Dental Officer of Delta Dental of Oregon and Alaska shared their expertise in the documentary. They discussed how menopause impacts women’s oral and overall health, and emphasized the importance of regular dental visits during this significant life stage.

3 ways to take charge of your oral health

If you are going through menopause, the three steps below will help you protect your oral health and ease the transition.

1. Stay hydrated: You can keep dry mouth at bay simply by drinking plenty of water. If you want to stimulate even more saliva production, chew sugar-free gum or suck on lozenges.
2. Keep up with your at-home oral hygiene routine: Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to keep your gums and teeth healthy. Having a solid dental routine at home is a strong defense against hormone changes that may affect your mouth.
3. Visit your dentist regularly: Twice-yearly dental check-ups are especially important during the menopause transition because your dentist can help detect early signs of gum disease, dry mouth or bone loss. The earlier you find these problems, the easier and less expensive they are to treat.

If you notice changes in your oral health, don’t hesitate to bring them up to your dentist during your next visit. Many women (93%, according to a recent Delta Dental survey⁴) say they would find it helpful to receive tailored advice on managing their oral health during menopause.

Menopause brings many changes, but you can maintain a healthy smile for years to come with the right knowledge and care. To learn more about “The (M) Factor,” visit TheMFactorFilm.com or stream the documentary on PBS.org. And if you need help finding a dentist near you who can help care for your mouth during menopause and beyond, visit Delta Dental of Iowa’s online Find a Provider tool.

SOURCE:

Grin Magazine

REFERENCES:

1. National Institute on Aging
2. Shifren, J. L., & Gass M. L. S., NAMS Recommendations for Clinical Care of Midlife Women Working Group. (2014). The North American Menopause Society recommendations for clinical care of midlife women. Menopause, 21(10), 1-25.
3. National Library of Medicine
4. Delta Dental Healthy Aging Report 

---

back to Top

What to know before whitening your teeth

Who doesn’t want a whiter smile? Teeth whitening is popular — just walk down your local drugstore dental aisle and you’ll see dozens of products promising a gleaming white smile. But what products are best for you? Are over-the-counter products even worth it?

It can be overwhelming to know which route to take when it comes to achieving whiter teeth. Here, we offer a 5-step teeth whitening roadmap to help make the process easier.

Step 1: Consult a dentist (not the internet)

The internet is a treasure trove of information, but when it comes to your oral health, your dentist should be your most trusted source. Avoid do-it-yourself whitening concoctions that you find online. Even if the recipes boast natural ingredients, they can still harm your mouth. For example, one online trend encouraged people to mix mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and apply the paste to their teeth for a whiter smile. But that combination of ingredients can severely damage your enamel and gums.

A dentist can also help you understand if you are a candidate for whitening products, so you don’t end up wasting your time and money. Teeth whitening works best on superficial tooth stains, such as those caused by dark drinks or aging. Deeper stains caused by injury or medication won’t respond as well to teeth whitening treatments. And teeth whitening products also aren’t effective on dental restorations like crowns, fillings and veneers.

Step 2: Discuss whether professional treatments are worth it

If you want the most powerful and effective whitening treatments available, talk to your dentist about the options they have in their office. Professional whitening treatments use stronger whitening agents that last longer than over-the-counter products used at home. Another benefit of professional whitening is that your dentist will tailor the treatment to your specific needs and dental health history. However, these treatments are more costly than at-home whitening products, and most dental plans do not cover whitening.

Even if you don’t want to pursue your dentist’s professional whitening options, discussing teeth whitening with your dentist is still helpful because they can provide recommendations on quality at-home whitening products that are effective and budget-friendly.

Step 3: Understanding at-home whitening products

Over-the-counter products like whitening strips, LED kits and whitening toothpaste are relatively inexpensive and contain natural whiteners like hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. These treatments can deliver results when used correctly, but they are still less effective than professional whitening.

Let’s take a closer look at whitening toothpastes. Not all whitening toothpastes are created equal, so it’s important to understand the differences when weighing your options.

• The best option: Fluoride toothpastes with a whitening agent are safe and effective.
• The best to avoid: Charcoal toothpastes are harsh on your teeth and can wear down your enamel and irritate your gums.
• The best at scamming: Purple toothpaste claims to whiten, but it only delivers the illusion of whiter teeth, as the purple color neutralizes yellow tones on teeth. These toothpastes don’t actually whiten teeth.

Step 4: Be prepared for side effects

Like any treatment, both professional and over-the-counter teeth whitening products have side effects that you may experience. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, and the most common are tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. These usually go away within a few days. Using a desensitizing toothpaste before and after whitening will help minimize any pain, but call your dentist if your side effects aren’t going away or are severe. 

Step 5: Maintaining dazzling results

If you’ve achieved a beautiful white smile, keep it bright by avoiding darker foods and drinks. Of course, eliminating them from your diet isn’t realistic, so simply rinsing with water after you consume them will help keep your teeth whiter for longer. Good at-home oral hygiene like twice daily brushing and daily flossing will also keep stains away. And, of course, seeing your dentist twice a year will ensure that your smile stays healthy from the inside out.